Systems and methods for facilitating multi-party payment transactions

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method for facilitating a payment transaction wherein a cardholder purchases an item from a merchant on behalf of a buyer is provided. The method includes receiving proposal data from a buyer computing device including at least one of an identification of an item proposed for purchase, a particular merchant, and a merchant purchase price. The method includes receiving a selection message from the buyer computing device indicating a selected cardholder chosen to purchase the item on behalf of a buyer using a merchant payment card associated with the particular merchant. The method includes reserving at least the merchant purchase price and a cardholder processing fee associated with the merchant payment card in a buyer account. The method includes transferring funds from the buyer account to a selected cardholder account, the funds determined at least in part by the merchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/941,954, filed Jul. 15, 2013, entitled “SYSTEMSAND METHODS FOR FACILITATING MULTI-PARTY PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS,” thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The field of the disclosure relates generally to payment transactions,and, more particularly, to facilitating a multi-party paymenttransaction that includes a cardholder purchasing a product from amerchant on behalf of a buyer wherein the cardholder makes the purchaseusing a payment card associated with the merchant.

Customer loyalty is one critical factor of the success of any business.To ensure that customers choose to return to a particular merchant, manymerchants offer co-branded payment cards and/or private label paymentcards. A merchant who offers one of these merchant payment cards mayincentivize customers to utilize the merchant payment card at themerchant's business by offering discounts on merchandise, giving outrewards points redeemable for items of value, or any combinationthereof. For example, a merchant specializing in the sale of electronicsmay provide a merchant payment card to customers and offer a 20%discount for purchases made with the payment card. Therefore, a customerassociated with the particular merchant payment card of the merchant,hereinafter referred to as a “cardholder,” may purchase a televisionthat would generally cost $1,000 dollars for only $800 dollars.

However, not all customers may have the ability or desire to acquire amerchant payment card for the particular merchant from whom they wish topurchase an item. These customers, hereinafter referred to as “buyers,”are not associated with the merchant payment card for the particularmerchant, but may still wish to take advantage of the benefits offeredby the merchant payment card. As merchant payment cards have become morepopular, buyers may have multiple merchant payment cards available tothem, but be unable to comfortably keep track of them. Buyers mayadditionally be unable to generate a credit history for multiplemerchant payment cards. In other circumstances, a buyer may havesufficient funds to make a purchase, but not have acceptable credit tobe approved for the merchant payment card.

In addition, cardholders may not be receiving any value from theirmerchant payment card. For example, a cardholder may have acquired amerchant payment card for a particular purchase, and utilized the cardrelatively infrequently since that time. Currently, cardholders may havesignificant credit available to purchase items from the merchant, but noneed or desire to do so.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for systems and methods forfacilitating a transaction wherein a cardholder purchases an item from amerchant on behalf of a buyer using a merchant payment card. In suchsystems and methods, the buyer receives some of the savings madeavailable by the merchant payment card, without the need to acquire hisor her own merchant payment card. In addition, the cardholder receivessome value for purchasing an item on behalf of a buyer using themerchant payment card of the cardholder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an aspect, a computer-implemented method for facilitating a paymenttransaction wherein a cardholder purchases an item from a merchant onbehalf of a buyer is provided. The method includes receiving proposaldata from a buyer computing device, wherein the proposal data includesat least one of an identification of an item proposed for purchase, aparticular merchant, and a merchant purchase price. The method alsoincludes receiving a selection message from the buyer computing device,wherein the selection message indicates a selected cardholder chosen topurchase the item on behalf of a buyer using a merchant payment cardassociated with the particular merchant. The method also includesreserving, by the computing device, at least the merchant purchase priceand a cardholder processing fee associated with the merchant paymentcard in a buyer account. The method also includes transferring fundsfrom the buyer account to a selected cardholder account, the fundsdetermined at least in part by the merchant purchase price and thecardholder processing fee.

In another aspect, a computer system for facilitating a paymenttransaction wherein a cardholder purchases an item from a merchant onbehalf of a buyer is provided. The computer system includes a computingdevice coupled to a memory. The computing device configured to receiveproposal data from a buyer computing device, wherein the proposal dataincludes at least one of an identification of an item proposed forpurchase, a particular merchant, and a merchant purchase price. Thecomputing device also configured to receive a selection message from thebuyer computing device, wherein the selection message indicates aselected cardholder chosen to purchase the item on behalf of a buyerusing a merchant payment card associated with the particular merchant.The computing device also configured to reserve at least the merchantpurchase price and a cardholder processing fee associated with themerchant payment card in a buyer account. The computing device alsoconfigured to transfer funds from the buyer account to a selectedcardholder account, the funds determined at least in part by themerchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee.

In another aspect, a computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable instructions thereon for facilitating a paymenttransaction wherein a cardholder purchases an item from a merchant onbehalf of a buyer is provided. When executed by at least one processorassociated with a computing device and a memory, the computer-executableinstructions cause the at least one processor to receive proposal datafrom a buyer computing device, wherein the proposal data includes atleast one of an identification of an item proposed for purchase, aparticular merchant, and a merchant purchase price. Thecomputer-executable instructions also cause the processor to receive aselection message from the buyer computing device, wherein the selectionmessage indicates a selected cardholder chosen to purchase the item onbehalf of a buyer using a merchant payment card associated with theparticular merchant. The computer-executable instructions also cause theprocessor to reserve at least the merchant purchase price and acardholder processing fee associated with the merchant payment card in abuyer account. The computer-executable instructions also cause theprocessor to transfer funds from the buyer account to a selectedcardholder account, the funds determined at least in part by themerchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example transaction computer system forprocessing multi-party payment transactions in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example configuration of a computing device incommunication with a host computing device as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration of a host computing deviceas shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a simplified flowchart illustrating an example processimplemented by the transaction computer system shown in FIG. 1 focusingon aspects associated with the host computing device.

FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart illustrating an example processimplemented by the transaction computer system shown in FIG. 1 focusingon aspects associated with the buyer.

FIG. 6 is a simplified flowchart illustrating an example processimplemented by the transaction computer system shown in FIG. 1 focusingon aspects associated with the cardholder.

FIG. 7 illustrates the flow of messages between the computing devices ofthe transaction computer system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates the components involved in performing the functionsof the transaction computer system shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Described in detail herein are example embodiments of systems andmethods for facilitating a multi-party payment transaction that includesa cardholder purchasing an item from a merchant on behalf of a buyerwherein the cardholder uses a payment card associated with the merchantto make the purchase. The cardholder enters into an agreement with thebuyer to make the purchase on behalf of the buyer in return for some feecharged to the buyer by the cardholder. More specifically, a transactioncomputer system including a host computing device, in communication witha memory and a user interface, is configured to implement a process thatfacilitates a cardholder's purchase of an item from a merchant on behalfof a buyer with a merchant payment card.

As described herein, the term “merchant payment card” refers to one of aco-brand payment card and a private label payment card. The co-brandpayment card is a payment card issued by an issuer for a particularmerchant to be used over a payment network, wherein the particularmerchant, the issuer, and the payment network may have their brandrepresented on the payment card. For example, merchant A may associatewith issuer Z and payment network X to generate a co-brand payment cardin which at least two of merchant A's, issuer Z's and payment networkX's brands are represented. The private-label payment card is a paymentcard issued by an issuer for a particular merchant to be used over apayment network, wherein the particular merchant's brand is solelyrepresented on the payment card. Merchant payment cards are frequentlyassociated with rewards, discounts or special offers provided by themerchant to the cardholder.

An example process implemented by the transaction computer system forfacilitating a cardholder's purchase of an item from a merchant onbehalf of a buyer with a merchant payment card is described below.

A plurality of cardholders 1-N, each having at least one merchantpayment card, register with the host computing device through respectivecardholder computing devices 1-N. Cardholders 1-N provide cardholderdata to the host computing device, wherein the cardholder data includesat least data associated with each corresponding merchant payment cardand a cardholder processing fee. The cardholder processing feeindicating a fee charged by the cardholder to a buyer in return for thecardholder purchasing an item on behalf of the buyer.

Buyer A of a plurality of buyers registers with the host computingdevice through a buyer computing device, and provides proposal data tothe host computing device indicating at least one of an item desired forpurchase, item I, a particular merchant, merchant Z, from which item Iis to be purchased, and a merchant purchase price. The merchant purchaseprice indicates the cost charged by merchant Z to purchase item I usingmerchant Z's merchant payment card.

The host computing device provides relevant cardholder data including alist of relevant cardholders 1-N having a merchant payment card formerchant Z to buyer A. Host computing device also provides thecardholder processing fee for the relevant cardholders 1-N to buyer A.

Buyer A selects one of the relevant cardholders 1-N to purchase an itemon behalf of the buyer based on the cardholder processing fee or otherdata, and transmits a selection message to the host computing deviceindicating the selected cardholder (e.g., selected cardholder 1).

The host computing device is configured to receive the selection messagefrom the buyer computing device, and process the selection. The hostcomputing device may be configured to determine if buyer A hassufficient funds available in an associated buyer account to cover themerchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee. Ifinsufficient funds are available, the host computing device may informthe buyer that insufficient funds are available and decline thepurchase. If there are sufficient funds, host computing device isconfigured to transmit a transaction request message to selectedcardholder 1. The transaction request message indicates at least item I,merchant Z, and the merchant purchase price.

Selected cardholder 1 may transmit a transaction confirmation message tothe host computing device if selected cardholder 1 agrees to purchasethe item on behalf of the buyer. Alternatively, selected cardholder 1may transmit a transaction declination message to the host computingdevice if selected cardholder 1 does not agree to purchase the item onbehalf of the buyer.

Once the host computing device receives a transaction confirmationmessage, the host computing device may be configured to again determineif buyer A has sufficient funds available in an associated buyer accountto cover the merchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee.If insufficient funds are available, the host computing device mayinform the buyer that insufficient funds are available and decline thepurchase. If there are sufficient funds, host computing device isconfigured to reserve the funds in buyer account.

The host computing device is configured to inform buyer A that selectedcardholder 1 will perform the transaction, and to provide selectedcardholder 1 with buyer data associated with buyer A (which facilitatesidentifying buyer A) for use with the purchase of item I. Buyer dataincludes at least a shipping address for buyer A. Host computing devicemay also be configured to generate a transaction e-mail address andprovide the generated transaction e-mail address to the cardholdercomputing device. The generated transaction e-mail address is associatedwith the purchase of item 1 on behalf of Buyer A.

Selected Cardholder 1 then purchases item I from merchant Z, and entersbuyer data and possibly transaction e-mail address into merchant Z's POSterminal.

The host computing device is configured to receive purchase data from atleast one of selected cardholder 1 and merchant Z indicating that item Ihas been purchased on behalf of buyer A. Purchase data including atleast one of a receipt, shipping confirmation, and other informationindicating selected cardholder 1 purchased item I on behalf of buyer A.

The host computing device is further configured to transfer funds fromthe buyer account associated with buyer A to a selected cardholderaccount associated with selected Cardholder 1. The transferred fundsinclude the merchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee.

The host computing device may further be configured to receive adelivery confirmation message from buyer A indicating Item I hasarrived. Host computing device may also be configured to receive acardholder rating indicating buyer A's satisfaction with selectedcardholder 1's performance. Host computing device may also be configuredto receive a buyer rating indicating selected cardholder 1'ssatisfaction with buyer A's performance.

A technical effect of the systems and methods described herein includeat least one of (a) receiving proposal data from a buyer computingdevice, wherein the proposal data includes at least one of anidentification of an item proposed for purchase, a particular merchant,and a merchant purchase price; (b) receiving a selection message fromthe buyer computing device, wherein the selection message indicates aselected cardholder chosen to purchase the item on behalf of a buyerusing a merchant payment card associated with the particular merchant;(c) reserving, by the computing device, at least the merchant purchaseprice and a cardholder processing fee associated with the merchantpayment card in a buyer account; and (d) transferring funds from thebuyer account to a selected cardholder account, the funds determined atleast in part by the merchant purchase price and the cardholderprocessing fee.

As used herein, the term “payment card” refers to any suitabletransaction card, such as a credit card, a debit card, a pre-paid card,a charge card, a membership card, a promotional card, a frequent flyercard, an identification card, a gift card, and/or any other device thatmay hold payment account information, such as mobile phones,Smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), key fobs, tablets,and/or computers. Each type of transaction card can be used as a methodof payment for performing a payment transaction.

As used herein, the term “payment transaction,” “proposed transaction”or “transaction” refers to any suitable payment transaction in which acardholder associated with a merchant payment card purchases an item onbehalf of the buyer.

The detailed description illustrates embodiments of the invention by wayof example and not by way of limitation. It is contemplated that thedisclosure has general application to systems and methods thatfacilitate cardholders of merchant payment cards purchasing items onbehalf of buyers. However, this disclosure is not intended to be limitedto the embodiments described herein, but could be used in various otherembodiments that are also covered by this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example transaction system100 comprising a plurality of computing devices. The plurality ofcomputing devices includes host computing device 112, buyer computingdevice 114, point-of-Sale (POS) terminal 118, and cardholder computingdevice 121. In at least some embodiments, host computing device 112 maybe a server or collection of servers configured to perform the functionsdescribed herein. In other embodiments, host computing device 112 may becommunicatively coupled to a memory 120 and a user interface referred toherein as a transaction portal 117. Host computing device 112 isconfigured to generate the transaction portal 117, through which thebuyer and a plurality of cardholders may interact with host computingdevice 112. In the example embodiment the transaction portal 117 may bea graphical user interface (GUI), although transaction portal may be anyuser interface capable of performing the functions described herein.

In the example embodiment, system 100 includes a host computing device112, and a plurality of client sub-systems including a buyer computingdevice 114 and a cardholder computing device 121 connected to hostcomputing device 112. In one embodiment, buyer computing device 114 andcardholder computing device 121 are any device capable ofinterconnecting to the internet, including a web-based phone, PDA,computer, laptop, or any other web-based connectable equipment. Also inthe example embodiment, buyer computing device 114 and cardholdercomputing device 121 include a web browser, such that host computingdevice 112 is accessible using the Internet. More specifically, hostcomputing device 112 may be accessible through transaction portal 117,transaction portal 117 being displayed in a web browser. Buyer computingdevice 114 and cardholder computing device 121 may be interconnected tothe Internet through many interfaces including a network, such as alocal area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN),dial-in-connections, cable modems, and special high-speed IntegratedServices Digital Network (ISDN) lines.

System 100 also includes POS terminal 118, connecting a particularmerchant with the transaction system. POS terminal 118 which may beconnected to host computing device 112, may be connected to buyercomputing device 114, and may be connected to cardholder computingdevice 121. POS terminal 118 are interconnected to the Internet throughmany interfaces including a network, such as a LAN, a WAN,dial-in-connections, cable modems, wireless modems, and specialhigh-speed ISDN lines. POS terminal 118 could be any device capable ofinterconnecting to the Internet and including an input device capable ofreading information associated with a payment card. In the exampleembodiment POS terminal 118 is a computer connected to the internet, andis configured to receive information associated with a payment cardinput through the merchant's website.

Memory 120 contains information on a variety of matters including buyerdata and cardholder data as described below in greater detail. In oneembodiment, memory 120 is stored on host computing device 112 and can beaccessed by buyers and cardholders by logging onto host computing device112 through transaction portal 117. In an alternative embodiment, memory120 is stored remotely from host computing device 112 and may benon-centralized

Memory 120 may include, but is not limited to, random access memory(RAM) such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) or static RAM (SRAM), read-only memory(ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and non-volatile RAM(NVRAM). The above memory types are example only, and are thus notlimiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of a computerprogram. Memory 120 may be configured to store cardholder data includingat least one of a cardholder name, a cardholder address, cardholderaccount information, data relating to a merchant payment card associatedwith the cardholder, and a cardholder processing fee associated with theuse of the merchant payment card. Cardholder account informationincludes information relating to at least one account in which funds maybe deposited, including a savings account, checking account, or pre-paidcard. Memory 120 may also store buyer data including a buyer name, buyershipping address, buyer contact address, buyer account information, orany combination thereof. Buyer account information including informationrelating to at least one type of account from which funds may betransferred including a savings account, checking account, or pre-paidcard. Memory 120 may also store data relating to purchased itemsincluding at least one of a gift receipt, shipping data, deliveryconfirmation messages, buyer ratings, cardholder ratings, or anycombination thereof.

Transaction system 100 further includes a cardholder computing device121. Cardholder computing device 121 may be a computer device and/ormobile device used by a cardholder for registering a merchant paymentcard with transaction portal 117 or making an on-line purchase. Morespecifically, cardholder computing device 121 may be a computer,smartphone, PDA, tablet, or any other device capable of performing thefunctions described herein. In the example embodiment, cardholdercomputing device 121 includes a memory device and a computing device incommunication with the memory device and is communicatively coupled tohost computing device 112 and POS terminal 118. Cardholder computingdevice 121 may optionally be communicatively coupled to buyer computingdevice 114. Cardholder computing device 121 may be in communication withhost computing device 112, POS terminal 118, and buyer computing device114 through any suitable network communication method including, but notlimited to, WAN type communications, LAN type communications, 3G typecommunications, or WIMAX type communications.

Transaction system 100 includes a buyer computing device 114. Buyercomputing device 121 may be a computing device and/or mobile device usedby a buyer for registering with host computing device 112 throughtransaction portal 117. Buyer computing device 114 may also be used totransmit information to and receive information from host computingdevice 112. More specifically, buyer computing device 114 may be acomputer, smartphone, PDA, tablet, or any other device capable ofperforming the functions described herein. In the example embodiment,buyer computing device 114 includes a memory device and a computingdevice in communication with the memory device and is communicativelycoupled to host computing device 112. Buyer computing device 114 mayoptionally be communicatively coupled with POS terminal 118 to transmitand receive communications associated with the purchase of an item.Buyer computing device 114 may optionally be communicatively coupled tocardholder computing device 121. Buyer computing device 114 may be incommunication with host computing device 112, POS terminal 118, andcardholder computing device 121 through any suitable networkcommunication method including, but not limited to, WAN typecommunications, LAN type communications, 3G type communications, orWIMAX type communications.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example configuration of a user computing system202 operated by a user 201, such as a cardholder or a buyer. Usercomputing system 202 may include buyer computing device 114, POSterminal 118, and cardholder computing device 121. In the exampleembodiment, user computing system 202 includes a processor 205 forexecuting instructions. In some embodiments, executable instructions arestored in a memory area 210. Processor 205 may include one or moreprocessing units, for example, a multi-core configuration. Memory area210 is any device allowing information such as executable instructionsand/or written works to be stored and retrieved. Memory area 210 mayinclude one or more computer readable media.

User computing system 202 also includes at least one media outputcomponent 215 for presenting information to user 201. Media outputcomponent 215 is any component capable of conveying information to user201. In some embodiments, media output component 215 includes an outputadapter such as a video adapter and/or an audio adapter. An outputadapter is operatively coupled to processor 205 and operativelycouplable to an output device such as a display device, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or“electronic ink” display, or an audio output device, a speaker orheadphones.

In some embodiments, user computing system 202 includes an input device220 for receiving input from user 201. Input device 220 may include, forexample, a keyboard, a pointing device, a mouse, a stylus, a touchsensitive panel, a touch pad, a touch screen, a gyroscope, anaccelerometer, a position detector, or an audio input device. A singlecomponent such as a touch screen may function as both an output deviceof media output component 215 and input device 220. User system 202 mayalso include a communication interface 225, which is communicativelycouplable to a remote device such as host computing device 112.Communication interface 225 may include, for example, a wired orwireless network adapter or a wireless data transceiver for use with amobile phone network, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), 3G,or other mobile data network such as WIMAX.

Stored in memory area 210 are, for example, computer readableinstructions for providing a user interface, such as transaction portal117, to user 201 via media output component 215 and, optionally,receiving and processing input from input device 220. A user interfacemay include, among other possibilities, a web browser and clientapplication. Web browsers enable users, such as user 201, to display andinteract with media and other information typically embedded on a webpage or a website. In the example embodiment, a web browser may be usedto interact with host computing device 112 through transaction portal117.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration of a server system includinga server such as host computing device 112 (shown in FIG. 1).

Server system 301 includes a processor 305 for executing instructions.Instructions may be stored in a memory area 310, for example. Processor305 may include one or more processing units (e.g., in a multi-coreconfiguration) for executing instructions. The instructions may beexecuted within a variety of different operating systems on the serversystem 301. It should also be appreciated that upon initiation of acomputer-based method, various instructions may be executed duringinitialization. Some operations may be required in order to perform oneor more processes described herein, while other operations may be moregeneral and/or specific to a particular programming language (e.g., C,C#, C++, Java, or other suitable programming languages, etc.).

Processor 305 is operatively coupled to a communication interface 315such that server system 301 is capable of communicating with a remotedevice such as a user computing system 201 or another server system 301.For example, communication interface 315 may receive requests from buyercomputing device 114 and cardholder computing device 121 via theInternet, as illustrated in FIG. 1. More specifically, processor 305 maybe programmed to provide the transaction portal 117 to buyer computingdevice 114 and cardholder computing device 121. The transaction portalmay be configured to communicate cardholder and buyer data from thecardholder computing device 121 and buyer computing device 114respectively to server system 301. Server system 301 may be configuredto store the cardholder and buyer data in memory area 310. Thetransaction portal may also be configured to communicate transactiondata from buyer computing device 114 to server system 301, thetransaction data including at least a product identifier indicating anitem to be purchased by a cardholder on behalf of the buyer, and atransaction amount. Server system 301 may be configured to receive acardholder selection message including a selected cardholder chosen fromthe plurality of registered cardholders. The transaction portal may alsobe configured to transmit the transaction data to cardholder computingdevice 121 associated with the selected cardholder. Transaction portal117 may also communicate purchase data, including confirmation that theitem has been purchased by the selected cardholder, from cardholdercomputing device 121 to server system 301.

Processor 305 may be operatively coupled to a storage device 134.Storage device 134 is any computer-operated hardware suitable forstoring and/or retrieving data. In some embodiments, storage device 134is integrated in server system 301. For example, server system 301 mayinclude one or more hard disk drives as storage device 134. In otherembodiments, storage device 134 is external to server system 301 and maybe accessed by a plurality of server systems 301. For example, storagedevice 134 may include multiple storage units such as hard disks orsolid state disks in a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID)configuration. Storage device 134 may include a storage area network(SAN) and/or a network attached storage (NAS) system.

In some embodiments, processor 305 is operatively coupled to storagedevice 134 via a storage interface 320. Storage interface 320 is anycomponent capable of providing processor 305 with access to storagedevice 134. Storage interface 320 may include, for example, an AdvancedTechnology Attachment (ATA) adapter, a Serial ATA (SATA) adapter, aSmall Computer System Interface (SCSI) adapter, a RAID controller, a SANadapter, a network adapter, and/or any component providing processor 305with access to storage device 134.

Memory area 310 may include, but is not limited to, random access memory(RAM) such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) or static RAM (SRAM), read-only memory(ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and non-volatile RAM(NVRAM). The above memory types are example only, and are thus notlimiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of a computerprogram.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process implemented by transaction system100 to facilitate a payment transaction wherein a cardholder purchasesan item from a merchant on behalf of a buyer

In the example embodiment, host computing device 112 is configured toreceive cardholder data through transaction portal 117 and store, atBlock 402, cardholder data in memory 120. Cardholder data is dataassociated with a plurality of cardholders and respective merchantpayment cards. Cardholder data may include data relating to the merchantpayment cards, cardholder processing fees associated with the merchantcards, and cardholder account information. Cardholder accountinformation may be information relating to any type of account in whichfunds may be deposited, including, but not limited to, a saving account,checking account, or pre-paid card assigned to the cardholder. Thecardholder processing fee is selected by the cardholder and indicates afee charged to the buyer in return for cardholder purchasing an item onbehalf of the buyer. Fee data may be one of a flat transaction amount(e.g., $5.00), a percentage of the purchase price (e.g., 5%), an amountof rewards points associated with the purchase of the item, or anycombination thereof. In some embodiments, cardholder data may alsoinclude a cardholder name, cardholder address, a credit limit associatedwith merchant payment card, cardholder contact information, or anycombination thereof.

Host computing device 112 is also configured to receive and store, atBlock 402, buyer data in memory 120. The buyer data may include a buyershipping address and buyer account information. The buyer data may alsoinclude a buyer name, buyer contact information, or any combinationthereof. Buyer account information includes information relating to atleast one type of account from which funds may be transferred including,but not limited to, a savings account, checking account, or pre-paidcard assigned to the buyer.

Also in the example embodiment, host computing device 112 is configuredto receive, at Block 404, proposal data from buyer computing device 114.The proposal data may include at least one of an identification of anitem to be purchased, a particular merchant from whom the item is to bepurchased, and a merchant purchase price.

Also in the example embodiment, host computing device 112 is configuredto determine cardholders associated with merchant payment cards for theparticular merchant indicated in the proposal data. Host computingdevice may be configured to provide a list these cardholders, referredto as relevant cardholders, to the buyer computing device 114 asrelevant cardholder data. In at least some embodiments, relevantcardholder data may also include a cardholder rating and the cardholdercredit limit associated with relevant cardholders.

In embodiments where the particular merchant is not provided in theproposal data, host computing device 112 may be configured to determineall merchants from whom the item may be purchased, and provide a list ofcardholders associated with each of the merchants to the buyer computingdevice 114 as relevant cardholder data.

Also in the example embodiment, host computing device 112 is configuredto receive, at Block 406, a selection message indicating a selectedcardholder chosen to purchase the item on behalf of the buyer. In theexample embodiment, the buyer may choose the selected cardholder basedon at least one of the cardholder processing fee, cardholder rating, andcardholder credit limits associated with the each of the cardholders.

In the example embodiment, host computing device 112 is configured todetermine if the buyer account has sufficient funds available to coverthe merchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee. Ifinsufficient funds are available, the host computing device may informthe buyer that insufficient funds are available and decline thepurchase. If there are sufficient funds, host computing device isconfigured to process the transaction.

In the example embodiment, host computing device 112 is configured totransmit, at Block 408, a transaction request message to cardholdercomputing device 121. The transaction request message may include theproposal data. The transaction request message may optionally include abuyer rating.

In response, host computing device 112 receives, at Block 410, acardholder confirmation message indicating the selected cardholderagrees to purchase the item on behalf of the buyer.

Alternatively, host computing device 112 may receive, at Block 410, atransaction declination message indicating that the selected cardholderdoes not agree to purchase the item on behalf of the cardholder. In suchan event, host computing device 112 may inform buyer of the declination,and search, at Block 412, for a new cardholder to purchase the item onbehalf of the buyer. In the example embodiment, host computing device isconfigured to again provide the relevant cardholder data to buyercomputing device 112 and receive a new selection message.

In some instances, host computing device 112 may not receive anyindication from cardholder computing device 121 within a predeterminedtime. In such an event, host computing device 112 may inform buyer ofthe timeout, and search, at Block 412, for a new cardholder to purchasethe item on behalf of the buyer. In the example embodiment, hostcomputing device is configured to again provide the relevant cardholderdata to buyer computing device 112 and receive a new selection message.

In the example embodiment, once the host computing device receives atransaction confirmation message, the host computing device may beconfigured to determine if the buyer has sufficient funds available inbuyer account to cover the merchant purchase price and the cardholderprocessing fee. If insufficient funds are available, the host computingdevice may inform the buyer that insufficient funds are available anddecline the purchase. If there are sufficient funds, host computingdevice is configured to reserve the funds in buyer account, and transmitthe confirmation to buyer computing device 114. In the exampleembodiment, buyer account is a pre-paid card assigned to the buyer byhost computing device 112. In other embodiments buyer account may be anyaccount from which funds may be transferred, such as a checking accountor savings account.

In the example embodiment, host computing device 112 may further beconfigured to provide, at Block 414, at least a buyer shipping addressto cardholder computing device 114. Host computing device 112 mayfurther be configured to generate a transaction email address associatedwith the payment transaction, and provide the transaction email addressto cardholder computing device 121. In the example embodiment, thetransaction email address is generated by host computing device 112 foreach particular payment transaction.

In the example embodiment, host computing device 112 is configured toreceive, at Block 416, purchase data confirming purchase of the item bythe selected cardholder. In the example embodiment, purchase data mayinclude at least one of a shipping confirmation message, and a giftreceipt associated with the payment transaction. In at least someembodiments, the purchase data further includes a purchase amount, atime of purchase, an expected arrival data, and other details related tothe transaction. In the example embodiment, purchase data may bereceived through the transaction email address associated with thetransaction from at least one of POS terminal 118 and cardholdercomputing device 121.

In the example embodiment, host computing device 112 is furtherconfigured to transfer, Block 418, funds from a buyer account to aselected cardholder account. In the example embodiment, the transferredfunds are equal to the sum of the merchant purchase price and cardholderprocessing fee. Also, in the example embodiment, the buyer account andthe selected cardholder account are pre-paid cards associated with thebuyer and selected cardholder respectively. In other embodiments, buyeraccount and selected cardholder account may be any other type of accountwhich may be used to send and receive funds, such as a checking accountor a savings account.

In the example embodiment, host computing device 112 is configured toreceive, at Block 420, a delivery confirmation message. The deliveryconfirmation message may be sent from buyer computing device 114, andindicates that the item has been delivered to buyer at buyer shippingaddress. In the example embodiment, the delivery confirmation messagemay also include a date and time of delivery, a condition of the productwhen delivered, or any combination thereof.

Also in the example embodiment, host computing device 112 is configuredto receive, at Block 422, a cardholder rating from buyer computingdevice 114, and a buyer rating from cardholder computing device 121. Thebuyer and cardholder ratings may reflect overall satisfaction with thetransaction from the buyer and the cardholder, as well as satisfactionwith specific categories of performance. For example, a specificcategory of performance for the cardholder may include promptness inpurchasing the item. The host computing device 112 is configured tostore the cardholder rating and buyer rating in memory 120 as part ofthe cardholder data and the buyer data respectively.

FIG. 5 illustrates the example process shown in FIG. 4 from theperspective of the buyer. The process of FIG. 5 is implemented bytransaction system 100. System 100 includes computing device 114 incommunication with transaction portal 117 and host computing device 112to facilitate the payment transaction.

In the example embodiment, at Block 502, buyer registers with hostcomputing device 112 through transaction portal 117 using buyercomputing device 114. Buyer computing device 114 is configured totransmit buyer data to host computing device 112.

The buyer may optionally be assigned, at Block 504, a pre-paid card byhost computing device 112 for use with transaction system 100. In suchan embodiment, buyer would load funds on the pre-paid card for use inpurchasing an item through transaction portal 117.

In the example embodiment, at Block 506, buyer determines an item hewould like to have purchased on his behalf from a particular merchant,and uses buyer computing device 114 to transmit proposal data to hostcomputing device 112. In response, buyer may receive relevant cardholderdata from host computing device 112.

In the example embodiment, the buyer may select, at Block 508, aselected cardholder to purchase the item on his behalf and transmit aselection message to host computing device 112. In the exampleembodiment, the buyer may select a cardholder from among the pluralityof relevant cardholders indicated by the relevant cardholder data.Further in the example embodiment, buyer may sort the relevantcardholders on buyer computing device 114 based on at least one of thecardholder processing fee to use the merchant payment card, the creditlimit of the respective merchant payment card, and the cardholderrating.

Also in the example embodiment, host computing device 112 is configuredto determine, at Block 510, the funds available in a buyer account. Ifthe buyer account has funds equal to or in excess of the sum of themerchant purchase price the cardholder processing fee then hostcomputing device 112 is configured to transmit a transaction requestmessage to cardholder computing device 121 associated with the selectedcardholder. If the buyer account has insufficient funds, host computingdevice 112 declines, at Block 512, buyer's request to purchase the item.

Further in the example embodiment, buyer computing device 114 isconfigured to receive, at Block 514, an indication that funds have beentransferred from buyer account to a selected cardholder account.

Further in the example embodiment, buyer receives, at Block 516, theitem purchased by the selected cardholder, and uses buyer computingdevice 114 to transmit a delivery confirmation message to host computingdevice 112.

Also in the example embodiment, buyer computing device 114 is configuredto transmit, at Block 518, a cardholder rating to host computing device112.

FIG. 6 illustrates the same example process shown in FIG. 4 but from theperspective of the cardholder. The process of FIG. 6 is implemented bytransaction system 100. System 100 includes computing device 114 incommunication with transaction portal 117 and host computing device 112to facilitate the payment transaction.

In the example embodiment, at Block 602, a cardholder registers withhost computing device 112 by transmitting cardholder data throughtransaction portal 117 using cardholder computing device 121.

The cardholder may optionally be assigned, at Block 604, a pre-paid cardby host computing device 112 for use with transaction portal 117. Insuch an embodiment, cardholder would receive funds on the pre-paid cardin return for making purchases on behalf of buyers.

In the example embodiment, cardholder computing device 121 is configuredto receive, at Block 606, a transaction request message from hostcomputing device 112 that a buyer would like cardholder to purchase anitem on buyer's behalf.

In the example embodiment, cardholder computing device 121 is configuredto transmit, at Block 608, a transaction confirmation message to hostcomputing device 112 indicating the cardholder's agreement to purchasethe item. In response, cardholder computing device 121 may receiveproposal data, buyer data, and a transaction e-mail address for use inpurchasing the item. Alternatively, the cardholder computing device 121may be configured to transmit, at Block 610, a transaction declinationmessage to host computing device 112 indicating the cardholder does notagree to purchase the item.

In the example embodiment, cardholder computing device 121 may beconfigured to purchase, at Block 612, the item from the particularmerchant using the merchant payment card associated with the particularmerchant. In the example embodiment, cardholder purchases the itemthrough POS terminal 118 associated with the particular merchant. Alsoin the example embodiment, cardholder enters the buyer shipping addressand a transaction e-mail address into POS terminal 118. The cardholdercomputing device 121 is further configured to transmit purchase data tohost computing device 112.

In the example embodiment, cardholder computing device 121 is configuredto receive, at Block 614, notification that the cardholder account hasreceived funds from the buyer account.

Also in the example embodiment, cardholder computing device 121 isconfigured to transmit, at Block 616, a buyer rating through transactionportal 117 to host computing device 112. The buyer rating may reflectthe cardholder's overall satisfaction with the transaction, as well assatisfaction with specific categories of performance, such as buyertrustworthiness.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow 700 of messages between host computing device112, buyer computing device 114, cardholder computing device 121, andPOS terminal 118.

At Block 702, buyer uses buyer computing device 114 to transmit buyerdata to host computing device 112.

At Block 704, a plurality of cardholder computing devices 121 providecardholder data to the host computing device.

At Block 706, buyer computing device 114 provides proposal data to hostcomputing device 112.

At Block 708, host computing device 112 is configured to providerelevant cardholder data to buyer computing device 114 based on theproposal data.

At Block 710, buyer computing device 114 is configured to transmit aselection message indicating a selected cardholder, chosen from amongthe relevant cardholders, to purchase the item on behalf of buyer.

At Block 712, host computing device 112 processes the selection message,determines whether a buyer account has sufficient funds, and transmits atransaction request message to the selected cardholder computing device121.

At Block 714, cardholder computing device 121 provides a transactionconfirmation message indicating the cardholder agrees to purchase theitem on behalf of the buyer to the host computing device 112.

Alternatively, at Block 716, cardholder computing device 121 associatedwith the selected cardholder provides a transaction declination messageto the host computing device 112 indicating the selected cardholder doesnot agree to purchase the item on behalf of the buyer.

At Block 718, host computing device 112 is configured to transmit thedetermination of the selected cardholder to buyer computing device 114.

At Block 720, host computing device 112 is configured to provide atleast the buyer shipping address to cardholder computing device 121. Insome embodiments host computing device 112 is further configured togenerate a transaction e-mail address and provide the generatedtransaction e-mail address to the cardholder computing device 121.

At Block 722, host computing device 112 is configured to receivepurchase data from cardholder computing device 121.

At Block 724, host computing device 112 may also be configured toreceive purchase data indicating that the item has been purchased onbehalf of the buyer from POS terminal 118. In at least one embodiment,POS terminal 118 may use the generated transaction email address totransmit purchase data from POS terminal 118 to host computing device112.

At Block 726, buyer computing device is configured to provide a deliveryconfirmation message to the host computing device 112.

At Block 728, host computing device 112 is configured to receive acardholder rating from buyer computing device 114.

At Block 730, host computing device 112 is configured to receive a buyerrating from selected cardholder computing device 121.

FIG. 8 illustrates a component view 800 of transaction system 100comprising a host computing device 112, a processor 802, a receivercomponent 804, a transmitter component 806, and multiparty transactioncomponents 807.

Processor 802 is communicatively coupled to memory 120, receivercomponent 804, transmitter component 806, and multi-party transactioncomponents 807. The processor 204 can execute instructions within thehost computing device 112, including instructions stored in the memory120 or in internal memory. The processor may be implemented as chipsthat include separate and multiple analog and digital processors. Theprocessor may provide, for coordination of the other components of thehost computing device 112. For example processor 802 is configured toreceive buyer data and cardholder data through receiver component 804,processes the data, and store the data in memory 120.

Receiver component 804 is communicatively coupled to buyer computingdevice 114, POS terminal 118, cardholder computing device 121 andprocessor 802. Receiver component 804 is configured to receive data fromat least one of the buyer computing device 114, POS terminal 118, andcardholder computing device 121, and to provide the data to processor802.

Transmitter component 806 is communicatively coupled to buyer computingdevice 114, cardholder computing device 121 and processor 802.Transmitter component is configured to receive information fromprocessor 802 and transmit that information to at least one of buyercomputing device 114 and cardholder computing device 121.

Multi-party transaction components 807 are configured to performmultiple functions associated with host computing device 112 forfacilitating a multi-party transaction. More specifically, multi-partytransaction components 807 comprise an optional pre-paid card assignmentcomponent 808, a relevant cardholder determination component 810, abuyer fund determination component 812, a transaction e-mail addressgeneration component 814, a fund transfer component 816, and a ratingassignment component 818.

Pre-paid card assignment component 808 is configured to receive at leastone of buyer data and cardholder data and assign the respective at leastone buyer and cardholder a pre-paid card. The assigned pre-paid card isutilized in performing transactions with the transaction system 100.

Relevant cardholder determination component 810 is configured to receiveproposal data and cardholder data, and determine cardholders associatedwith a merchant payment card for the particular merchant.

Buyer fund determination component 812 is configured to determine thelevel of funds available in a buyer account and determine whether buyeraccount has funds equal to or greater than the sum of the merchantpurchase price and cardholder processing fee. Buyer fund determinationcomponent 812 may also be configured to reserve the funds in the buyeraccount if sufficient funds are found in response to the transactionconfirmation message.

Transaction e-mail address generation component 814 is configured togenerate a transaction e-mail address in response to receiver component804 receiving a transaction confirmation message from cardholdercomputing device 121.

Fund transfer component 816 is configured to transfer funds from a buyeraccount associated with the buyer to a selected cardholder accountassociated with the selected cardholder.

Rating assignment component 818 is configured to assign a received buyerrating to the buyer and a received cardholder rating to the cardholder.

Further, the system may be implemented via a combination of hardware andsoftware, as described, or entirely in hardware elements. Also, theparticular division of functionality between the various systemcomponents described herein is merely for the purposes of example only,and not mandatory; functions performed by a single system component mayinstead be performed by multiple components, and functions performed bymultiple components may instead performed by a single component.

While the embodiments have been described in terms of various specificembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that theembodiments can be practiced with modification within the spirit andscope of the claims. Specifically, though the embodiments describedherein make reference to a host computing device 112 in communicationwith transaction portal 117 and configured to perform certain functions;the disclosure contemplates that other devices or systems, such astransaction portal 117, buyer computing device 114, POS terminal 118,and cardholder computing device 121, may perform some or all of thefunctions ascribed to host computing device 112.

As used herein, a processor may include any programmable systemincluding systems using micro-controllers, reduced instruction setcircuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logiccircuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing thefunctions described herein. The above examples are example only, and arethus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning ofthe term “processor.”

In one embodiment, a computer program is provided, and the program isembodied on a computer readable medium. In an example embodiment, thesystem is executed on a single computer system, without requiring aconnection to a sever computer. In a further example embodiment, thesystem is being run in a Windows® environment (Windows is a registeredtrademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.). In yet anotherembodiment, the system is run on a mainframe environment and a UNIX®server environment (UNIX is a registered trademark of X/Open CompanyLimited located in Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom). The applicationis flexible and designed to run in various different environmentswithout compromising any major functionality. In some embodiments, thesystem includes multiple components distributed among a plurality ofcomputing devices. One or more components may be in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium.The systems and processes are not limited to the specific embodimentsdescribed herein. In addition, components of each system and eachprocess can be practiced independent and separate from other componentsand processes described herein. Each component and process can also beused in combination with other assembly packages and processes.

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable,and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by aprocessor, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROMmemory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types areexample only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usablefor storage of a computer program.

As will be appreciated based on the foregoing specification, theabove-described embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented usingcomputer programming or engineering techniques including computersoftware, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof. Anysuch resulting program, having computer-readable code means, may beembodied or provided within one or more computer-readable media, therebymaking a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture,according to the discussed embodiments of the disclosure. Thecomputer-readable media may be, for example, but is not limited to, afixed (hard) drive, diskette, optical disk, magnetic tape, semiconductormemory such as read-only memory (ROM), and/or any transmitting/receivingmedium such as the Internet or other communication network or link. Thearticle of manufacture containing the computer code may be made and/orused by executing the code directly from one medium, by copying the codefrom one medium to another medium, or by transmitting the code over anetwork.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications, “apps”, or code) include machine instructions for aprogrammable processor, and can be implemented in a high-levelprocedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or inassembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms “machine-readablemedium” “computer-readable medium” refers to any computer programproduct, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks,memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including amachine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as amachine-readable signal. The “machine-readable medium” and“computer-readable medium,” however, do not include transitory signals.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralelements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.Furthermore, references to “example embodiment” or “one embodiment” ofthe present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excludingthe existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate therecited features.

This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the embodiments, including making and using any devicesor systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scopeof the embodiments is defined by the claims, and may include otherexamples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples areintended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structuralelements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, orif they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantialdifferences from the literal language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for enablingcommunications through the Internet between a plurality of cardholdersand a separate buyer for a purchase of an item by one of the pluralityof cardholders on behalf of the buyer, the method implemented by a hostcomputing device coupled to a memory, said method comprising: hosting,by the host computing device, a transaction portal communicativelycoupled, via the Internet, to a plurality of cardholder computingdevices and a buyer computing device, wherein each of the plurality ofcardholder computing devices is associated with a respective cardholderof the plurality of cardholders, wherein each of the plurality ofcardholders is associated with a respective cardholder account, andwherein the buyer computing device is associated with the buyer;receiving, by the host computing device via the transaction portal,cardholder data associated with each respective cardholder account, thecardholder data including at least one merchant association representinga merchant payment card issued to the respective cardholder; receiving,by the host computing device via the transaction portal, proposal datafrom the buyer computing device, wherein the proposal data identifiesthe item proposed for purchase, a particular merchant associated with aparticular merchant payment card, and a merchant purchase price;filtering, by the host computing device using the proposal data and thecardholder data, a subset of relevant cardholders from the plurality ofcardholders, wherein each cardholder of the subset of relevantcardholders includes the particular merchant payment card associatedwith the particular merchant identified in the proposal data; causing,by the host computing device via the transaction portal, a list of thesubset of relevant cardholders to be displayed on a user interface ofthe buyer computing device; receiving, by the host computing device viathe transaction portal, a selection message from the buyer computingdevice, wherein the selection message indicates a selected cardholder ofthe subset of relevant cardholders chosen to purchase the item on behalfof the buyer using the particular merchant payment card associated withthe particular merchant; reserving, by the host computing device, atleast the merchant purchase price and a cardholder processing fee withina buyer account associated with the buyer; and transferring, by the hostcomputing device, funds from the buyer account to a selected cardholderaccount associated with the selected cardholder, the funds determined atleast in part by the merchant purchase price and the cardholderprocessing fee.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method furthercomprises providing relevant cardholder data to the buyer computingdevice, wherein the relevant cardholder data includes a list ofcardholders associated with at least one merchant payment card that isassociated with the particular merchant.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the cardholder processing fee indicates a fee charged to thebuyer for the purchase of the item by the selected cardholder, andincludes at least one of a flat transaction amount, a percentage of themerchant purchase price, and an amount of rewards points.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the method further comprises generating atransaction e-mail address and providing the transaction e-mail addressto the selected cardholder.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the methodfurther comprises receiving purchase data indicating that the selectedcardholder has purchased the item at the transaction e-mail address. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprising assigningat least one of a cardholder rating to the selected cardholder and abuyer rating to the buyer.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the methodfurther comprising, associating at least one of a buyer pre-paid cardwith the buyer account and a selected cardholder pre-paid card with theselected cardholder account.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein reservingthe merchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee within thebuyer account includes reserving the merchant purchase price and thecardholder processing fee on the buyer pre-paid card, and transferringfunds from the buyer account to the selected cardholder account includestransferring funds from the buyer pre-paid card to the selectedcardholder pre-paid card.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the methodfurther comprises receiving one of a cardholder confirmation messageindicating the selected cardholder agrees to purchase the item on behalfof the buyer and a cardholder declination message indicating theselected cardholder does not agree to purchase the item on behalf of thebuyer.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprisesreceiving a second cardholder selection message from the buyer computingdevice indicating a second selected cardholder chosen to purchase theitem on behalf of the buyer in response to receiving the cardholderdeclination message.
 11. A computer-based system for enablingcommunications through the Internet between a plurality of cardholdersand a separate buyer for a purchase of an item by one of the pluralityof cardholders on behalf of the buyer, the system comprising: a hostcomputing device coupled to a memory, the host computing deviceconfigured to: host a transaction portal communicatively coupled, viathe Internet, to a plurality of cardholder computing devices and a buyercomputing device, wherein each of the plurality of cardholder computingdevices is associated with a respective cardholder of the plurality ofcardholders, wherein each of the plurality of cardholders is associatedwith a respective cardholder account, and wherein the buyer computingdevice is associated with the buyer; receive, via the transactionportal, cardholder data associated with each respective cardholderaccount, the cardholder data including at least one merchant associationrepresenting a merchant payment card issued to the respectivecardholder; receive, via the transaction portal, proposal data from thebuyer computing device, wherein the proposal data identifies the itemproposed for purchase, a particular merchant associated with aparticular merchant payment card, and a merchant purchase price; filter,using the proposal data and the cardholder data, a subset of relevantcardholders from the plurality of cardholders, wherein each cardholderof the subset of relevant cardholders includes the particular merchantpayment card associated with the particular merchant identified in theproposal data; cause, via the transaction portal, a list of the subsetof relevant cardholders to be displayed on a user interface of the buyercomputing device; receive, via the transaction portal, a selectionmessage from the buyer computing device, wherein the selection messageindicates a selected cardholder of the subset of relevant cardholderschosen to purchase the item on behalf of the buyer with the particularmerchant payment card associated with the particular merchant; reserveat least the merchant purchase price and a cardholder processing feewithin a buyer account associated with the buyer; and transfer fundsfrom the buyer account to a selected cardholder account associated withthe selected cardholder, the funds determined at least in part by themerchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the host computing device is furtherconfigured to provide relevant cardholder data to the buyer computingdevice, wherein the relevant cardholder data includes a list ofcardholders associated with at least one merchant payment card that isassociated with the particular merchant.
 13. The system of claim 11,wherein the cardholder processing fee indicates a fee charged to thebuyer for the purchase of the item by the selected cardholder, andincludes at least one of a flat transaction amount, a percentage of thepurchase, and an amount of rewards points.
 14. The system of claim 11,wherein the host computing device is further configured to generate atransaction e-mail address and provide the transaction e-mail address tothe selected cardholder.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the hostcomputing device is further configured to receive purchase dataindicating that the selected cardholder has purchased the item at thetransaction e-mail address.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the hostcomputing device is further configured to assign at least one of acardholder rating to the selected cardholder and a buyer rating to thebuyer.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the host computing device isfurther configured to associate at least one of a buyer pre-paid cardwith the buyer account and a selected cardholder pre-paid card with theselected cardholder account.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein thehost computing device is further configured to reserve the merchantpurchase price and the cardholder processing fee on the buyer pre-paidcard, and transfer funds from the buyer pre-paid card to the selectedcardholder pre-paid card.
 19. The system of claim 11, wherein the hostcomputing device is further configured to receive one of a cardholderconfirmation message indicating the selected cardholder agrees topurchase the item on behalf of the buyer and a cardholder declinationmessage indicating the selected cardholder does not agree to purchasethe item on behalf of the buyer.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein thehost computing device is further configured to receive a secondcardholder selection message from the buyer computing device indicatinga second selected cardholder chosen to purchase the item on behalf ofthe buyer in response to the cardholder declination message.
 21. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage media havingcomputer-executable instructions embodied thereon for enablingcommunications through the Internet between a plurality of cardholdersand a separate buyer for a purchase of an item by one of the pluralityof cardholders on behalf of the buyer, wherein when executed by at leastone processor associated with a host computing device and a memory, thecomputer-executable instructions cause the at least one processor to:host a transaction portal communicatively coupled, via the Internet, toa plurality of cardholder computing devices and a buyer computingdevice, wherein each of the plurality of cardholder computing devices isassociated with a respective cardholder of the plurality of cardholders,wherein each of the plurality of cardholders is associated with arespective cardholder account, and wherein the buyer computing device isassociated with the buyer; receive, via the transaction portal,cardholder data associated with each respective cardholder account, thecardholder data including at least one merchant association representinga merchant payment card issued to the respective cardholder; receive,via the transaction portal, proposal data from the buyer computingdevice, proposal data identifying the item proposed for purchase, aparticular merchant associated with a particular merchant payment card,and a merchant purchase price; filter, using the proposal data and thecardholder data, a subset of relevant cardholders from the plurality ofcardholders, wherein each cardholder of the subset of relevantcardholders includes the particular merchant payment card associatedwith the articular merchant identified in the proposal data; cause, viathe transaction portal, a list of the subset of relevant cardholders tobe displayed on a user interface of the buyer computing device; receive,via the transaction portal, a selection message, wherein the selectionmessage indicates a selected cardholder of the subset of relevantcardholders chosen to purchase the item on behalf of the buyer with theparticular merchant payment card associated with the particularmerchant; reserve at least the merchant purchase price and a cardholderprocessing fee associated with the merchant payment card in a buyeraccount associated with the buyer; and transfer funds from the buyeraccount to a selected cardholder account associated with the selectedcardholder, the funds determined at least in part by the merchantpurchase price and the cardholder processing fee.
 22. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media of claim 21, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions also cause the processor to providerelevant cardholder data to the buyer computing device, wherein therelevant cardholder data includes a list of cardholders associated withat least one merchant payment card that is associated with theparticular merchant.
 23. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia of claim 21, wherein the cardholder processing fee indicates a feecharged to the buyer for the purchase of the item by the selectedcardholder, and includes at least one of a flat transaction amount, apercentage of the purchase, and an amount of rewards points.
 24. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 21, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions also cause the processor to associateat least one of a buyer pre-paid card with the buyer account and aselected cardholder pre-paid card with the selected cardholder account.25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 24,wherein the computer-executable instructions also cause the processor toreserve the merchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee onthe buyer pre-paid card, and transfer funds from the buyer pre-paid cardto the selected cardholder pre-paid card.